Garment and accessory with bag pulling system

ABSTRACT

An accessory configured to carry a bag including a first layer of material and a second layer of material. The first layer of material and the second layer of material are configured to form a space therebetween. Additionally, the accessory includes a first opening configured to introduce an object into the space and a second opening in communication with a pulling system, wherein the pulling system is removably connected to an end of the object.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to garments and accessorieshaving a pulling system. More specifically, the present disclosurerelates to garments and accessories, such as a belt, that are configuredto retain a pulling system. The pulling system can include aconfiguration to dispense at least one object, such as a plastic bag,from a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The consumption of plastic bags has exponentially increased due tofactors such as population growth, proliferation of consumer society,and lack of practical alternatives. For example, use of paper bags as analternative to plastic bag causes depletion of trees. Moreover, it takesapproximately 13% more energy to make a single paper bag than to maketwo plastic bags.

One easy way to reduce the number of plastic bags produced each year, isto re-use the bags. However, carrying one or multiple bags in a person'spocket, wallet or purse takes precious space. Accordingly, there is aneed to carry plastic bags without the plastic bag occupying preciousspace in the user's pocket, wallet, purse, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect, a garment or accessory includes a first layer and a secondlayer, wherein the first layer and the second layer are configured toform a space therebetween; and a pulling system incorporated into atleast one of garment or accessory and in communication with the spaceformed between the first layer and the second layer.

In an aspect, the first layer and the second layer are made of at leastone of a same material or a different material.

In an aspect, the pulling system comprises a spring configured to bedirectly or indirectly connected to an object.

In another aspect, when the spring is configured to be indirectlyconnected to an object, the spring is connected to a string that isconnected to the object.

In a further aspect, the string is made of at least one of polymer,metal, and fabric.

In a further aspect, the spring is at least one of compression spring,extension spring, torsion spring, constant force spring, and Bellevillespring.

In yet another aspect, the pulling system comprises a locking deviceactuator configured to lock or unlock at least one of a spring or astring of the pulling system.

In an aspect, the pulling system comprises a hook configured to beconnected to an object being dispensed.

In a further aspect, the garment or accessory further includes acontainer configured to be positioned within at least a portion of thespace between the first layer and the second layer and wherein thecontainer comprises at least one object.

In an aspect, the at least one object is a plastic bag.

In an aspect, the container is configured to rotate around a verticalaxis.

In another aspect, the container includes an opening and is configuredto hold at least one object.

In a further aspect, the pulling system includes a locking deviceactuator and wherein the accessory is a belt having a belt buckle.

In yet another aspect, the belt buckle includes a bar and a prong andwherein the bar is connected to the locking device actuator.

In an aspect, the locking device actuator is configured to be connectedto a movable clamp.

In another aspect, a bag that includes two handles and a loop positionedon a portion of the bag.

In a further aspect, the loop is made of the same material as the bag.

In yet another aspect, the bag is a plastic bag.

In an aspect, the loop is configured to withstand a force of at least250 N.

In another aspect, one of the loops is smaller than the remaining twoloops.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be setforth, in part, in the description that follows, and will, in part, beapparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice ofvarious embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of variousembodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements andcombinations particularly pointed out in the description herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure in its several aspects and embodiments can bemore fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary belt having a pullingsystem and a plastic bag, according to an example of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 1B is a cutaway of FIG. 1A at location 1B, according to an exampleof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary belt having apulling system and a plastic bag, according to an example of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2B is a cutaway of FIG. 2A at location 1B, according to an exampleof the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a plastic bag having a loop and a container, according to anexample of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary pulling system, accordingto an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a top cutaway of an exemplary pulling system with the movableclamp in an open position and a locking device actuator being actuatedby a bar of a belt buckle; according to an example of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5B is a top cutaway of an exemplary pulling system with the movableclamp in a closed position and the locking device actuator beingactuated by a bar of a belt buckle; according to an example of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5C is a top cutaway of an exemplary pulling system with the movableclamp in a closed position and the locking device actuator beingactuated by a push button; according to an example of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an exemplary pulling system and a belt buckle,wherein the pulling system is activated by a push button, according toan example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a is a top view of an exemplary pulling system and a beltbuckle, wherein the pulling system is activated by a prong of the beltbuckle, according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a plastic bag container, according to an example of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is an alternative plastic bag container, according to an exampleof the present disclosure.

Throughout this specification and figures like reference numbersidentify like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of thepresent teachings.

The phrase “Accessory,” as used herein, refers to any item that can becarried or be worn by a consumer, such as a belt, purse, wallet,eyeglass case, etc.

Although the present application specifically refers to a belt, thepresent invention can be incorporated into any accessory or garment.

In its broad and varied embodiments, disclosed herein a device whichallows users to re-use objects, such as plastic bags; thereby reducingthe number of plastic bags produced each year. The majority of world'spopulation use plastic bags for different purposes, such as carryinggroceries, picking up pet waste, etc., the same population do not have aplastic bag when in a grocery store or use new plastic bags when pickingup pet waste. The present device allows the world population to haveimmediate access to a previously used plastic bag; thereby reducing theneed to continue producing new plastic bags.

In an example, an object, such as a bag can be placed in a portion of agarment or an accessory. In an example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,belt 10 can include a bag 16. In this example, the belt 10 can includean outer layer (first layer) 12A and an inner layer (second layer) 12B.The first layer 12A and the second layer 12B are configured to create aspace 14. Furthermore, the first layer 12A and the second layer 12B canbe the same or can be different. For example, both the first layer 12Aand the second layer 12B can be made of a material such as leather,canvas, rubber, or recycled material, such as recycled rubber, etc. Inanother example, when the first layer 12A is different from the secondlayer 12B, then the first layer 12A can be made of a material that istraditionally used in making the accessory, such as a belt, and thesecond layer 12B can be of a less expensive material. For example, thefirst layer 12A can be leather and the second layer 12B can be cotton oreven a stretchable material.

In an example, the belt 10 can include a first opening 13A, a secondopening 13B, a pulling system 20 having a spring mechanism that can beconnected to a string 24 and hook-like device 26. In operation, to takeout the bag 16 that is positioned in the space 14, a user can reach tothe first opening 13A, where an end of the bag 16 is positioned in thevicinity of the first opening 13A and/or peeking out from the firstopening 13A. The user can then grab the end of the bag 16 peeking out ofthe first opening 13A and pull the bag 16 out of the space 14. Bypulling the bag 16 out of the first opening 13A, the user, inherently,also pulls out the hook-like device 26. The user can then disconnect aloop 18 of the bag 16 from the hook-like device 26. In one example, asshown in FIG. 1A, in order to prevent the hook-like device 26 fromretracting back to the space 14, the hook-like device 26 can be securedto a securing device 15. The securing device 15 can be any device thatis capable of temporarily or removably connect the hook-like device 26to a vicinity of the first opening 13A. For example, the securing device15 can be a hook.

To insert a new bag 16 in to the space 14, the user can disconnect thehook-like device 26 from the securing device 15 and connect the loop 18portion of the new bag 16 onto the hook-like device 26. In an example,the hook-like device 26 can include a cut to create two endssubstantially facing one another. The two ends can be configured suchthat they can be twisted or pulled apart to allow the loop 18 beinserted into the hook-like device 26. Once the bag 16 has beenconnected to the hook-like device 26, the spring mechanism in thepulling system 20 can cause the bag 16 that is connected to thehook-like device 26 to be pulled back into the space 14. In one example,the belt 10 can include an optional second opening 13B. This optionalsecond opening 13B can be used to insert the string 24 and the hook-likedevice 26 of the pulling system into the space 14 of the belt 10. Onceinserted, the second opening 13B can be closed. In another example, oncethe string 24 and hook-like device 26 of the pulling system have beeninserted into the space 14, the second opening 13B can remain open.

The first and/or second openings 13A, 13B can be positioned anywhere onthe belt 10. For example, each of the first and second openings 13A and13B can be placed on the first layer 12A or on the second layer 12B.Additionally, each of the first and second openings 13A and 13B can beplaced at the vicinity of each end of the belt 10 or at any otherlocation on the belt 10. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the first andsecond openings 13A and 13B are placed on the second layer 12B and atthe vicinity of each end of the belt 10.

Another exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In thisexemplary embodiment, belt 10 can include at least one opening, such asthe first opening 13A and/or the second opening 13B. In one example, asshown in FIG. 2A, the first opening 13A can be used to place the bag 16and/or a container 19 containing at least one bag into the space 14within the belt 10. To place the bag 16 into the space 14, the hook-likedevice 26 can be extended within the space 14 such that the hook-likedevice 26 is positioned in proximity of the first opening 13A. One endof the bag 16 having loop 18 can be connected to the hook-like device26. Once connected, the pulling system can pull the bag 16 into thespace 14, such that an end of the bag 16 is positioned in the vicinityof the second opening 13B for the user to grab and pull out, whenneeded. In one example, when the container 19 includes a plurality ofbags 16, each bag 16 is connected to an end of the next bag 16.Therefore, when the first bag 16 is pulled out, the end of the next bag16 is positioned at the vicinity of the second opening 13B for the userto pull out, when needed. Thus, the pulling system 20 can be used totake out the first bag and may not be required for the remaining bags tobe pulled out of the container 19. The first and/or second openings 13A,13B can be positioned anywhere in the belt 10. For example, they can beplaced on the first layer 12A or on the second layer 12B. In the exampleshown in FIG. 2A, the first and second openings 13A and 13B are placedon the second layer 12B and at approximately at each end of the belt 10.

In one example, to more conveniently position a bag 16 in the space 14,a connecting device, such as a zipper or a tong and hook device can beplaced on the inner layer 12B that extends from the first opening 13A tothe second opening 13B. In this example, a user can open the zipper andpull the string 24 and the hook-like device 26 from the second opening13B towards the first opening 13A. The hook-like device 26 can then betemporarily secured to the securing device 15 so that the user can closethe zipper, such that the string 24 is within the space 14. The user canthen secure an end of the bag 16 onto the hook-like device 26 so thatthe pulling system 20 can pull the bag 16 into the space 14.

The bag 16 can be any type of bag, such as a plastic bag that aretraditionally used in the grocery stores. In one example, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 3, bag 16 can be a modified grocery bag, which includes aloop 18. Loop 18 can be positioned anywhere on the bag 16. As shown inFIG. 3, loop 18 can be connected to a portion of the bottom of the bag16. However, it can also be connected or be part of the handles 16Aand/or 16B or the side of the bag 16. Loop 18 can be used to connect thebag 16 to a portion of a pulling system 20. Loop 18 can be part of a bagwhen it was first manufactured or can be added to the bag as an add-onfeature. When the loop 18 is an add-on feature, it can be made of anymaterial, such as plastic, leather, cotton, etc. and it can be sewn orglued on to the bag. When the container 19 includes a plurality of bags16 having loop 18, the loop 18 of the first bag 16 can be connected to aportion of the pulling system 20. Additionally, the handles 16A and/or16B of the first bag 16 can be connected or attached to the loop 18 ofthe next bag 16. In one example, the loop 18 is smaller than the handles16A and/or 16B. In another example, loop 18 can be the same size or evenlarger than the handles 16A and/or 16B. The loop 18 can be configured towithstand a force of at least 50N, such as a force of at least 100N, forexample, a force of at least 200N, or a force of at least 250 N.

In an example, if the bag 16 does not include a loop 18, a part of thebag 16 can be connected to a portion of the pulling system 20. Forexample, one or more of the handles 16A and 16B can be connected to aportion of the pulling system 20. In one example, when the container 19includes a plurality of bags 16, the first handle 16A can be connectedto a portion of the pulling system 20 and the second handle 16B can beconnected to the first handle 16A of the next bag. If the bag does notinclude at least one handle, then each bag can be continuously connectedto the next bag. In this example, each bag is separated from the nextbag by perforation lines.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5C, the pulling system 20 can include a spring 30that can be connected to a string 24 that can include a hook-like device26. The string 24 can be made of any material, such as cotton, nylon,and/or metal. In one example, the string 24 can be made of nylonmaterial. In one example, the spring 30 can be directly connected to thehook-like device 26. The spring 30 can be in a form of any spring, suchas a compression spring, an extension spring, a torsion spring, aconstant force spring, and a belleville spring to name a few. Theexamples shown in FIGS. 4-5C illustrate a constant force spring.

As shown in FIG. 4, the spring 30 and/or the string 24, if the pullingsystem also includes a string 24, can be locked in a position by abutton 32. Alternatively or additionally, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,if the pulling system 20 is used in a belt, the spring 30 and/or thestring 24, if the pulling system also includes a string 24, can belocked in a position by a bar 42 of a buckle 40.

The spring 30 can be in a form of a coiled spring metal having its innerend fixed to the center post 56 and its outer end connected to the innerend of the string 24. (For purposes of discussion, the present inventiononly refers to string 24; however, if the pulling system does notinclude a string 24, then spring 30 will also act as the string 24.Therefore, spring 30 can be substituted for the string 24). The string24 can be wound within the case and can include a hook-like device 26used for connecting the string 24 to a portion of the bag 16, such asthe loop 18.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, a clamping mechanism can be positioned withinthe case, adjacent to the slot through which the string 24 protrudes.The clamping mechanism can include a ledge 54 that is configured suchthat the end portion of the ledge 54 includes a thickness that isgreater than the thickness at the base of the ledge 54. The clampingmechanism can also include a movable clamp 50 having an upwardlyprotruding mass 51 adapted to engage the string 24 to lock the string 24against the end portion of the ledge 54. A locking device actuator 46can, at least partially, be positioned inside the case body 60 throughopening 62. The locking device actuator 46 enables a user to move theprotruding mass 51 to an unlock position, as shown in FIG. 5A or a lockposition as shown in FIG. 5B. In one example, the locking deviceactuator 46 can be biased to its released condition by a spring 25,which can be located between the locking device actuator 46 and thesidewall of the case body 60. Spring 25 can be fixed to the lockingdevice actuator 46. In another example, the locking device actuator 46can be biased to its closed condition by a spring 25.

The locking device actuator 46 can be manually operated by the button32, as shown in FIG. 6 or, in case of a belt, by the bar 42 of thebuckle 40, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 7.

When the locking device actuator 46 is manually operated by the button32, the locking device actuator 46 can be engaged with the button 32that can protrude at an end of the case body 60, as shown in FIG. 5C, orcan protrude on top of the case body 60, as shown in FIG. 6.

In an example, where the pulling system 20 is incorporated into a belt,the locking device actuator 46 can be operated by the bar 42 of thebuckle 40, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In this example, the end portionof the locking device actuator 46 can be connected to the bar 42. Assuch, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the user pulls a prong 44 of the buckle40 away from the buckle 40, (i.e., the prong 44 is perpendicular to thecore of the user) it causes the bar 42 to rotate, thereby, pulling onthe locking device actuator 46 in the direction A. Accordingly, theprotruding mass 51 moves back towards the base of the ledge 54 thatincludes a thickness less than the end of the ledge 54, therebyreleasing the string 24. Referring to FIG. 5B, when the user is wearingthe belt 10, the prong 44 of the buckle 40 is not pulled back (i.e., theprong 44 is parallel to the core of the user), thus, the locking deviceactuator 46 is pushed-in, which causes the protruding mass 51 to also bepushed-in towards the end of the ledge 54, thereby securing the string24 in its position.

In one example, if the string 24 is incorporated into the pulling system20, a hook-like device 26 (shown in FIG. 1), at one end, can beconnected to the string 24. The other end of the hook-like device 26 canbe connected to the bag 16. In another example, if the string 24 is notincorporated into the pulling system 20, the hook-like device 26, at oneend, can be connected to the spring 30 and the other end of thehook-like device 26 can be connected to the bag 16.

In operation, a user can place the container 19 having at least one bag16 in the space 14 via the first opening 13A. In one example, the atleast one bag 16 can be pulled through space 14, such that the loop 18of the at least one bag 16 is within the vicinity of the second opening13B. The hook-like device 26 of the pulling system 20 can then beconnected to the loop 18. Alternatively, once the container 19 has beenplaced in the space 14 via the first opening 13A, the user can feed thehook-like device 26 of the pulling system 20 through the space 14 fromthe second opening 13B to the vicinity of the first opening 13A. Theuser can then connect the hook-like device 26 to the loop 18 of the bag16.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 6, in one example, to dispense at least one ofthe bags 16 from the belt having the container 19 and the pulling system20, the user can press on the button 32 to retract the movable clamp 50,thereby releasing the string 24. Once the string 24 has been released,the spring 30 retracts and collects the string 24 and the hook-likedevice 26, which is connected to the loop 18 of the bag 16. As a result,the bag 16 is pulled through the space 14 of the belt 10 and out of thebelt 10 through the second opening 13B.

Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 7, once the belt 10 is worn and the userneeds the bag 16, the user can pull the prong 44 of the buckle 40 toretract the movable clamp 50, thereby releasing the string 24. Once thestring 24 has been released, the spring 30 retracts and collects thestring 24 and the hook-like device 26, which is connected to the loop 18of the bag 16. As a result, the bag 16 is pulled through the space 14 ofthe belt 10 and out of the belt 10 through the second opening 13B.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one example, the contain 19 can include anopening 192. Depending on the size of the container 19, one or more ofbags 16 can be placed inside of the container 19. If more than one bag16 is placed inside the container 19, then each bag 16 needs to beconnected to its adjacent bag 16, such that when the user pulls out thefirst bag 16, a portion of the second bag 16 is exposed through thesecond opening 13B.

Referring to FIG. 9, in one example, the contain 19 can include an axle194 at each end of the container 19 to allow the container 19 to rotatearound a vertical axis. One or more bags 16 can be wrapped around thecontainer 19. As the first bag 16 is pulled by the pulling system 20,the container 19 can rotate to release the bag 16. As before, if morethan one bag 16 is wrapped around the container 19, then each bag 16needs to be connected to its adjacent bag 16, such that when the userpulls out the first bag 16, a portion of the second bag 16 is exposedthrough the second opening 13B.

From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can appreciatethat the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms.Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection withparticular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of thepresent teachings should not be so limited. Various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of theteachings herein.

The scope of this disclosure is to be broadly construed. It is intendedthat this disclosure disclose equivalents, means, systems and methods toachieve the devices, activities and mechanical actions disclosed herein.For each device, article, method, mean, mechanical element or mechanismdisclosed, it is intended that this disclosure also encompass in itsdisclosure and teaches equivalents, means, systems and methods forpracticing the many aspects, mechanisms and devices disclosed herein.Additionally, this disclosure regards a coating and its many aspects,features and elements. Such a device can be dynamic in its use andoperation, this disclosure is intended to encompass the equivalents,means, systems and methods of the use of the device and/or article ofmanufacture and its many aspects consistent with the description andspirit of the operations and functions disclosed herein. The claims ofthis application are likewise to be broadly construed.

The description of the inventions herein in their many embodiments ismerely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart fromthe gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of theinvention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A garment or accessory comprising: a first layer and asecond layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer areconfigured to form a space therebetween; and a pulling systemincorporated into at least one of garment or accessory and incommunication with the space formed between the first layer and thesecond layer.
 2. The garment or accessory of claim 1, wherein the firstlayer and the second layer are made of at least one of a same materialor a different material.
 3. The garment or accessory of claim 1, furthercomprising a hook configured to hold an end of the pulling system andprevent it from retracting.
 4. The garment or accessory of claim 1,wherein the pulling system comprises a spring configured to be directlyor indirectly connected to an object.
 5. The garment or accessory ofclaim 4, wherein the spring is at least one of compression spring,extension spring, torsion spring, constant force spring, and Bellevillespring.
 6. The garment or accessory of claim 1, wherein the pullingsystem comprises a locking device actuator configured to lock or unlockat least one of a spring or a string of the pulling system.
 7. Thegarment or accessory of claim 1, wherein the pulling system comprises ahook-like device configured to be removably connected to an object beingdispensed.
 8. The garment or accessory of claim 1, comprises a containerconfigured to be positioned within at least a portion of the spacebetween the first layer and the second layer and wherein the containercomprises at least one object.
 9. The garment or accessory of claim 8,wherein the at least one object is a plastic bag.
 10. The garment oraccessory of claim 8, wherein the container is configured to rotatearound a vertical axis.
 11. The garment or accessory of claim 8, whereinthe container comprises an opening and is configured to hold at leastone object.
 12. The garment or accessory of claim 1, wherein the pullingsystem comprises a locking device actuator and wherein the accessory isa belt having a belt buckle.
 13. The garment or accessory of claim 12,wherein the belt buckle comprises a bar and a prong and wherein the baris connected to the locking device actuator.
 14. The garment oraccessory of claim 12, wherein the locking device actuator is configuredto be connected to a movable clamp.
 15. A bag comprising a handle and aloop positioned on a portion of the bag.
 16. The bag of claim 15,wherein the loop is made of a material substantially similar to the bag.17. The bag of claim 15, wherein the bag is a plastic bag.
 18. The bagof claim 15, wherein the loop is configured to withstand a force of atleast 250 N.
 19. The bag of claim 15, wherein the loop is smaller thanthe handle.
 20. An accessory configured to carry a bag comprising: afirst layer of material and a second layer of material, wherein thefirst layer of material and the second layer of material are configuredto form a space therebetween; a first opening configured to introduce anobject into the space; and a second opening in communication with apulling system, wherein the pulling system is removably connected to anend of the object.